Yeovil V Sheff Utd at Huish Park : Match Preview

05 May 2013 06:01

Yeovil manager Gary Johnson believes a full and vibrant Huish Park can help his side as they attempt to turn around a one-goal deficit in their play-off semi-final second leg against Sheffield United on Monday.

The Glovers' 9,665 capacity home looks set to be sold out and there is everything to play for after their 1-0 defeat at Bramall Lane on Friday evening.

The Glovers last play-off semi-final second leg saw them claw back a two-goal deficit from the first leg to knock out Nottingham Forest 5-4 on aggregate in one of the most memorable nights in the club's history.

And the former Bristol City boss says the fans can play their part as they look for a similar turnaround.

"I know the Yeovil Town fans will be right up for it, it's a tight ground at Huish Park and I think it will be a cracking game," Johnson said.

"We know what we've got to do and we want to do it in front of our own fans.

"We didn't want to go to a place like Sheffield United in the second leg with the game close and have 35,000 Sheffield United fans screaming their team on.

"It will be very colourful and noisy. I've been telling the new lads, when this place has 8000 or 9000 in it then it feels a lot more because they are right on top of you.

"It is a game to look forward to and when it comes round everybody will be pleased with the effort everyone has put in.

"Me and the boys feel Monday can't come round quick enough."

Substitute Callum McFadzean got the crucial goal in the opening minute of the second half to give the Blades that slender advantage.

United, losing play-off finalists last season, can take heart from their only two previous trips to Somerset which both resulted in 1-0 wins, the most recent coming back in September thanks to Neil Collins' strike.

In the five meetings between the sides the team that has scored first has won the match, and United right-back Darryl Westlake admits they must be positive and cannot afford to sit back on their advantage come Monday afternoon.

"We still have to go to Yeovil on Monday and be positive," he told the club's official website.

"We knew it would be a competitive game at Bramall Lane, but at their place it will probably be even tougher.

"Yeovil will come at us in the second leg we know that, but we have a slender advantage and we must look to build on that.

"The first goal on Monday will be crucial to the outcome of the tie, so we have to enter the game looking to win it because Yeovil will give it everything."